Window blind



April 19, 1932. J E COQPER 1,854,543

WINDOW BLIND Filed June 1950 Jsse E. COO/U62;

Attorney.

Patented Apr. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JESSE E. COOPER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN VENETIAN BLIND COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE WINDOW BLIND Application filed June 30,

' This invention relates to improvements in window blinds, especially to the so-called Venetian blinds, comprising a group of slats transverse to the window and suspended by tapes and cords from the top of the window frame. The slats have two motions: one to turn them about their own axes so that either the edge or the flat sides may be turned toward vertical, leaving open spaces between the slats and permitting the passage of light in the former case, or closing the transverse passages between the slats by their width and obstructing passage of light. The other motion is that of raising and lowering the group of slats so that the lower slat or member of the group may be adjusted to any desired height.

The objects of the invention are to eliminate the friction between the slat suspension cords and the uppermost member of the structure through which these cords pass, so that the several movements of the blind are facilitated and made easier, and to reduce wear on the suspending cords to a negligible amount 2 compared with the rapid wear which occurs in present practice. Other objects will appear as this description proceeds.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists in the new and useful provision, formation, construction, combination and interrelation of parts, members and features, all as hereinafter disclosed, shown in the drawings, and finally pointed out in claims.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 is a partial front elevation of an installed Venetian blind of the form embodying this invention, slat faces being horizontal.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show a form of structure embodying this invention these being, respectively, a fragmentary front elevation, a sec tional end elevation in one position, and a similar showing with the parts turned to a different position.

Figs. 5 and 6 show plan and end views of reinforcement means for strengthening the member which is included in this invention. In the figures, A is the upper frame of the window; B the upper rail of the blind; C, C, C the slats or cross members of the blind.

1930. Serial No. 464,983.

Where shown with the slat faces horizontal and the parts lowered away from each other, the blind is open and light passes through,

practically unobstructed. Nos. 10 and 11 are spaced cords which pass vertically through the upper rail B and the slats C, openings being made to accommodate the cords. two cords, 10 and 11, pass around small pulleys, 12, 13 and 14 at the top of the window, and the ends hang down loosely on one side of the window in convenient position for operation of the blinds. All of the slats are drawn up against the adjacent ones when the lower ends of the cords, 10 and 11, are pulled with suflicient force to overcome friction and the weight of the blind, which draws all of the slats up to the top part of the window so that their faces are horizontal and in contact. Since all of the slats are pulled togetherfiatwise, they occupy but little space in the top of the window frame, leaving the rest of the window clear of every obstruction.

As shown,.the upper rail, B, is fastened to the upper Window frame by the end members, 15, 15, usually metal brackets having inwardly projecting pins or pix ots, 16, which enter the ends of the upper rail, B, and hold it at a fixed distance from the upper ,member of the window frame, but free to turn about its own axis and to assume a position with its face turned horizontal or vertical. This member, B, is turned by means of a second cord, F, having downwardly depending ends, 19 'and 20, which pass around an end pulley or wheel, E, fastened to one end of the top rail, B, and then pass over a second pulley, 21, falling down far enough to be conveniently reached. The cord, F, is attached to the periphery of pulley, E. Pulley 21 is both a guide and friction pulley for cord F, over which the ends, 19 and 20,are carried, so that they fall downward, clear of the window, and the weight of the two cords pulling in opposite directions and both in the groove of the same pulley produces suflicient friction to prevent the top rail, B, from turning from any position in which it may be set.

Depending from the edges of the upper rail, B, and parallel with each other, are 100 These I spaced pairs of tapes or flexible strips, G, spaced apart by the width of the rail, B. At intervals along these tapes they are joined together by cross members of similar tape or other convenient material, and in the plurality of stirrups thus made, the slats O are laid. A stirrup tape at each end of the blind, and sometimes intermediate ones, provide supportfor the slats which lie in the stirrups. The lifting cords, 10 and 11, pass through slots made in the slats between these tapes, G, s) that the tapes conceal the cords when viewed from the front. Cords 10 and 11 pass on up through upper rail, B, which is provided with an opening, for passage of the cords. Turning the top rail, B, causes the turning of the slats and closing of. the blind against passage of light.

As is well known, the blinds may be drawn partly up, the lower slats being in contact with each other, while the upper slats are separated and may be turned to any desired angle to shut out or admit light. The motion to draw the blind up while the top rail, B, is turned vertical, or nearly so, wears "the cords, 10 and 11, very fast in the present form of top rail, due to the locking or cramping action produced. Also, the cords 10 and 11 through rail B resist turning of the rail after the first few degrees have been turned through and the binding action begins, the whole weight of the blind resting on the cords 10 and 11, and thereby "producing a strong locking action.

By this present invention, the binding between the cord and the upper rail, B, is prevented, the rapid wear of the cords eliminated, and the action of the blind made far easier by removal of cord distortion when being closed or opened by turning the parts as described.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the form of duplex opening through the rail B to accommodate the cords 10 and 11, is clearly shown. The opening is in efiect two channels, whereof one is cut in one surface of the rail B extending somewhat more than half of the thickness and of the width of the rail B, and a similar channel on the opposite side, which is cut in the opposite half. The overlap of the channels from edges to I channel ends, provides a passage through from face to facewhich will accommodate the cord 10 without distortion when the rail is in a horizontal position, while the overlap of the channels past the middle of the thickness of the rail provides a straight passage from edge to edge of the rail, so that it may vertical or horizontal position as clearly depicted in Figs. 3 and 4. While the material left after channelling is quite sufficient in area for the necessary strength it may, under certain conditions, be desirable to reinforce or strengthen the upper rail, B, where the sections have been channelled. Figs. 5 and 6 show one form of reinforcement comprising a sheet metal angle strip, M, fitting snugly over and around the rail, B, and extending a short distance along its length adjacent the channels.

Suitable screws or rivets, 30, attach the metal reinforcement to the rail.

Having described my invention in connection with illustrative embodiments, forms, proportions, and arrangement of parts, it will be understood that many variants thereof are possible to those skilled in the art, and my invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific construction herein described and shown, as changes in the sizes, proportions, configurations, arrangements, assemblage, interaction, juxtaposition and mechanical relations, as well as additions, omissions, substitutions, combinations and alterations of forms, parts, members and fea tures, may be made without departing from the broad spirit of this invention.

Having thus disclosed my invention, 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A top rail for a Venetian blind having a passage for the lifting cord, which passage runs through from one face of said rail to the other, and from one edge of'said rail to the other edge, the two directions of said passage intersecting at the centre of the cross section of the rail, the said passage being joined by channels through which the cord remains in a straight vertical position for any change in position of the said rail in turning through 90 degrees of angular movement around its centre in either direction.

2. A channelled blind rail having a straight cord passage through same from edge to edge and another straight cord passage from face to face, there being communication between the two said passages whereby said rail may be turned about its central axis through 90 degrees in either direction while the cord passing therethrough may remain straight and undistorted by the rotation of the rail.

3. In a Venetian type .window-blind, having an axially rotatable top rail and slats suspended therefrom, and alifting cord for raising the slats, said top rail being channelled to accommodate the cord without distortion thereof, irrespective of the angular position of the top rail within 90 degrees of movement in either direction.

4. In a Venetian type Window-blind, hav ing an axially rotatable top rail and slats suspended therefrom, and a lifting cord for raising the slats, said top rail being channelled to accommodate the cord without distortion thereof, irrespective of the angular position of the top rail, said top rail being slotted through opposite edges and opposite faces in overlap and so channelled.

5. In a Venetian type of window blind, a top rail and a slat-supporting cord passing through the saidrail; said rail having a through opening accommodating said cord without distortion thereof incident to 90 degrees axial rotation of said rail in either direction.

6. .A. top rail of a suspended slat windowa blind, channelled in opposite faces and in op- 1 posite edges, said channels having a depth and length to accommodate the suspension 7 cord passing therethrough, and providing a straight, uninterrupted passage for said cord when the rail is turned in any position within the limits of 90 degrees of axial rotation.

7 A top rail for a suspension blind, said rail adapted to rotate and rotate the several elements ofsaid blind in synchronism therewith, said rail having a passage-way formed 2 therethrough comprising overlapping channels whereby the suspension cord is accommodated Without distortion when the rail is rotated through 90 degrees.

8. A channelled blind rail having a straight cord passage through same from edge to edge and another straight cord passage from face to face, there being communication between the two said passages whereby said rail may be turned about its central axis through 90 degrees in either direction while the cord passing therethrough may remain straight and undistorted by the rotation of the rail, and means for reinforcing said top rail adjacent said channelled portions.

40 9. In a Venetian type window-blind, having an axially rotatable top rail and slats suspended therefrom, and a lifting cord for raising the slats, said top rail being channelled to accommodate the cord without distortion thereof, irrespective of the angular position of the top rail, said top rail being slotted through opposite edges and opposite faces in overlap and so channelled, and means for strengthening the said top rail across said channels.

10. A top rail for a suspension blind, said railadapted to rotate and rotate the several elements of said blind in synchronism therewith, said rail having a passage-way formed therethrough comprising overlapping channels whereby the suspension cord is accommodated without distortion when the rail is rotated through 90 degrees, and metal reinforcing members attached to said top rail adjacent said channelled portions.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification at Los Angeles, this 26th day of June,-1930.

. JESSE E. COOPER. 

